** UPDATE** – In a live streamed call open to the public, Gurkha announced that a plan was in place for Kaizad Hansotia to divest himself of his 50% share of the company.
Due to recent events, Kaizad Hansotia is resigning his position as the Chairman of Gurkha, effective immediately. Jim Colucci will assume the role of CEO and President of the company. Mr. Colucci has been with Gurkha since January 1, 2019 when he assumed full operational control. In addition, once our current packaging inventory is depleted, future packaging will no longer bear the name K. Hansotia. At Gurkha, we believe smoking a cigar should always be an enjoyable and unifying experience.
We are outraged and saddened at the content of previous posts made on Mr. Hansotia’s personal social media accounts. These in no way reflect the position or beliefs of the company, its founding mission or its employees. We stand in solidarity against racism and for racial justice. We cannot and will not tolerate words or acts of hate, injustice or oppression.
We understand that because of the actions of our founder, we must work to regain the trust of our customers and cigar community. We look forward to working toward this goal together.
Congratulations Jim on your new position. Although I am saddened by the departure of Kaizad, and even more saddened by the loss of 1st amendment rights, I continue to be a avid fan of Gurkha Cigars. Never thought that Kaizad would capitulate to insignificance and pettiness.
I am shocked that an international company would cave to a simple-minded boycott threat by the Krimson Society and the feigned “outrage” of lily-leftists. WHAT has happened to the 1st Amendment rights of an individual? Suddenly, this country is cowtowing to mob rule which–frankly–has little regard for the rights of anyone BUT the mob. Kaizad Hansotia’s comments may be objectionable to some, but they were published on a private site under his name, and not as Gurkha policy. Want to talk about “insignificance and pettiness”? How dare you publicly disparage his name and reputation and invade his private life for commentary made on a site which had absolutely nothing to do with Gurkha OR referenced the brand in ANY of the comments.
How has this America suddenly become so very sensitive that we chastise others for expressing their constitutional free-speech right in a personal opinion? Where was the sit-down with Kaizad to discuss the matter and handle it in-house rather than publicly chastise, embarrass, and disparage the name of a good man? Remove his name from future packaging? Seriously? Kaizad Hansotia IS Gurkha. And vice-versa. Exactly WHOM is demonstrating pettiness with that move?
I am truly ashamed and outraged that Gurkha has willingly submitted to the barely-there mentality of mob rule. I’ve been a devoted supporter and advocate of Gurkha for nearly 10 years now. Whatever was said by Hansotia on his self-named (ergo, private) page was expressed under a constitutionally guaranteed right of free speech. Apparently, the mentality of the few at Gurkha have decided to align themselves and the company with this leftist, socialist-dribble mentality of the mob. BE ashamed, Gurkha. You’ve proved you have no backbone–NONE–and absolutely NO regard for the American Constitution or the rights it guarantees its CITIZENS. Mob rule won’t be satisfied with your leftist apology. Mob rule demands submission. So, what’s next? Change the name also? You’d better hope that the Krimson Society (with their self-proclaimed 20k members) carries the Gurkha-brand forward from here. Maybe since you’ve bent over for them, you could ask them to publicly promote the brand … and hope it happens?
As for me, Gurkha will NEVER see another penny of my money. And I’m fairly certain I am NOT the only premium cigar smoker who feels this way. BUT, I will be watching for how you bend over to mob rule the next time.
The Left Supremacists were glad to see him go away they could (possibly including an attack on his Facebook account?) due to his politics. My favorite cigar shop has stopped selling Gurkhas and I’m morally torn between not doing business with them and not engaging in virtue-signal-mafia like tactics. I think I will find another shop, but won’t that make me just like them?